Jackson's sister breaks

Jackson's sister breaks silence

Jackson said she was 'really proud' of her niece Paris In her first interview following Michael Jackson's sudden death in June, Janet Jackson has said that she has not watched any TV news since. The singer, 43, told Harper's Bazaar magazine that continuous coverage in the US, "will drive you crazy", adding: "Not everyone is stone." She also told the magazine she was "really proud" of niece Paris, who spoke at Jackson's memorial in the US. Jackson's death, following a cardiac arrest, has been ruled as homicide. In the interview, Janet Jackson reveals that she last saw her brother less than six weeks before he died. "We had so much fun that day," she said, "We kept calling each other after and saying how great it was." She was working on a film in Atlanta when she got the call that her brother had died and immediately returned to Los Angeles. 'Emotional eater' Jackson also praises her mother, Katherine, saying: "I always wanted to have my mother's strength, but I didn't know if it was really there." Jackson, who has battled weight problems in the past, also revealed she had turned to comfort-eating to cope. She said: "I can be an emotional eater. Of late, I have been doing that, yes." Earlier this week, it was revealed that Janet Jackson will perform a tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on 13 September.

Jackson tribute

Jackson tribute 'badly organised'

Jermaine Jackson was among those organising the tribute show The mayor of Vienna has admitted that the Michael Jackson tribute concert that was expected to be held in Austria's capital was badly organised. Mayor Michael Haupl told the city's council the show would have been "very interesting... had it been properly prepared and organised but it was not". Organisers cancelled the planned 26 September concert after struggling to find major stars to perform. A replacement show has been planned for June next year, in London. Vienna authorities had initially agreed to subsidise the tribute at Schönbrunn Palace and planned to give organisers 600,000 euros (£550,000) after city experts estimated the event's advertising value to be around 35m euros (£32.1m). But the funding was pulled on 11 September when the concert's organisers - led by Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine - failed to present the "top stars" promised to perform at the event. Short notice Vice Mayor Renate Brauner said, at the time: "The advertising value is unlikely to be as high as we had initially expected it to be. We will call off all talks with the organisers." Later the same day, the concert was cancelled - with Jermaine Jackson admitting "numerous stars were just not able to change their schedules" at such short notice. Organisers also blamed the Austrian media for the cancellation, saying it viewed the line-up as "B-List" artists, who were "made fun of and generally disrespected". Artists Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge and Akon had originally been announced as performers, however plans were dealt a blow when representatives for Blige, Brown and Cole later said none of the three would be performing. World Tribute Productions said they were hoping to hold the rescheduled concert at Wembley Stadium.

Global premieres for Jackson film

Jackson's last rehearsal was in Los Angeles two days before he died The Michael Jackson film This Is It is to have simultaneous premieres in more than 15 cities around the world. Cities hosting the premieres on 27 and 28 October include Los Angeles, London, New York, Berlin, Seoul and Rio de Janeiro, Sony Pictures said. The movie is based on more than 100 hours of footage from rehearsals for the 50 London shows he had planned to do. Jackson died in June aged 50. Names of the other cities hosting the premiere have not yet been released. Hollywood films often hold premieres at different locations around the world but rarely at the same time. "Michael Jackson has an army of fans everywhere around the world... we are giving the audiences an incredible opportunity to join together in celebration of Michael Jackson's incredible career," said Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for Sony Pictures. The Los Angeles premiere will take place on the evening of 27 October, while the London event will happen after midnight local time on 28 October. Limited release In total, more than 25 cities will host premieres but not all will take place at the same time - they include Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris. This Is It, directed by Kenny Ortega - the choreographer of Jackson's planned shows at London's O2 arena - offers a behind-the-scenes look at preparations. The content is drawn from footage shot in Los Angeles between March and June. The film will go on general release in cinemas on 28 October for just a two-week run. The $60m (£36.4m) movie deal was made between Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures. Tickets for This Is It go on sale on 27 September. The singer died after suffering a cardiac arrest on 25 June, weeks before he was to have started the concerts.

Higher cause

Higher cause'

Mr Boteach is an orthodox Jewish rabbi who has written self-help books with names like Shalom in the Home and Kosher Sex.

The latter book, which encouraged Jews to have more sex, was publicly criticised and the rabbi was forced to resign from the synagogue where he preached in Willesden, north London.

Jackson with Uri Geller (left) and Rabbi Boteach (right) in 2001

He was introduced to Jackson in 1999 by entertainer Uri Geller and acted as his confidant for many years, helping to establish the star's Heal The Kids initiative.

Their conversations were taped with an eye to giving the public a more accurate image of the pop star.

Mr Boteach said he became disillusioned with the book - originally set for release in 2003 - after Jackson failed to adhere to recovery programmes they had worked out for his public image and private self.

On the Today programme, he insisted that Jackson would still have wanted the tapes to be released.

"He did all this because he wanted to consecrate his fame to a higher cause, and that was cause was 'parents prioritise your kids. Don't neglect them, because look what it did to me.'"

Jackson 'didn't want to grow old' Jackson's comments were made in tapes recorded nine years ago A new book based on taped interviews with Michael Jackson reveals the star thought he looked like "a lizard" and "didn't want to grow old". The Michael Jackson Tapes, written by the star's former adviser Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, provides first-hand detail about the reclusive singer's life. In one conversation, Jackson says: "I don't want to grow old. I never want to look in the mirror and see that." The star died in June, aged 50. His death is being treated as homicide. Speaking to US TV show Today on Friday, Mr Boteach said his overwhelming impression of the star had been one of "indescribable pain". "He lost the will to live," he added. "I think he was just going through the motions of life toward the end." Mr Boteach recorded 30 hours of interviews with Jackson nine years ago. The tapes reveal the star talking about about his fear of aging, and being hit with an electric cord by his father. I would like some way to disappear where people don't see me any more at some point Michael Jackson "He was rough," the star says. "The way he would beat you, you know, was hard. "He would make you strip nude first. He would oil you down. It would be a whole ritual. He would oil you down so when the flip of the ironing cord hit you, you know... it was just like dying." "I used to get so angry at him," Jackson continues. "I would just go in my room and just scream out of anger because I didn't understand how a person could be so vicious and mean." Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for the Jackson family, said after the tapes were broadcast: "We will not dignify this with a comment." In another conversation released by Mr Boteach, the star can be heard saying: "I don't want to be seen now, because I am like a lizard. It is horrible." "I would like some way to disappear where people don't see me any more at some point."

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson: Something in Common With Elvis?

Following a week of questions surrounding the sudden death of Michael Jackson, many have debated the many similarities between the "King of Pop" and Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll."

In our latest round of Tale of the Tape, we match up the two legendary music icons to see if they had more in common than just their connection to Lisa Marie Presley.

(M) Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson
(E) Full Name: Elvis Aaron Presley

(M) Alias: "The King of Pop"
(E) Alias: "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"

(M) Date of Birth: Aug. 29, 1958
(E) Date of Birth: Jan. 8, 1935

(M) Birthplace: Gary, Ind.
(E) Birthplace: Tupelo, Miss.

(M) Date of Death: June 25, 2009
(E) Date of Death: Aug. 16, 1977

(M) Grammy Awards: 13
(E) Grammy Awards: 3

(M) Worldwide Record Sales: 750 million records
(E) Worldwide Record Sales: Over 1 billion

(M) National Record Sales:61.5 million
(E) National Record Sales: 119 million
*according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

(M) Marriages: Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie Presley (divorced after less than two years of marriage); Debbie Rowe
(E) Marriages: Priscilla Beaulieu (divorced after six years of marriage)

(M) Signature move: Moonwalk
(E) Signature move: Pelvic thrust

(M) Real Estate: Neverland
(E) Real Estate: Graceland

(M) Famous Rivalries: Prince
(E) Famous Rivalries: Little Richard

(M) Controversies: Underage kids, dangling baby out of hotel window
(E) Controversies: Marrying underage wife, making women go crazy

(M) Fun Fodder: Sleeping in a chamber
(E) Fun Fodder: Eating peanut butter and bananas

(M) Musical Influences: James Brown
(E) Musical Influences: Big Momma Thornton

(M) Monumental Moments: Breaking MTV's color barrier
(E) Monumental Moments: Giving birth to blue-eyed soul

(M) Number of children: 3
(E) Number of children: 1

(M) Notable Film Appearances: 'The Wiz,' 'Thriller,' 'Bad,' 'Ghosts'
(E) Notable Film Appearances: 'Viva Las Vegas,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Blue Hawaii,' 'G.I. Blues'

(M) Notable Albums: 'Thriller,' 'Off The Wall, 'Bad'
(E) Notable Albums: 'Elvis Presley,' 'Loving You,' 'G.I. Blues'

(M) Notable Singles: 'Thriller,' 'Rock With You,' 'Bad'
(E) Notable Singles: 'Hound Dog,' ''Don't Be Cruel,' 'Love You Tender,'

(M) Famous Quotes: "I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart."
(E) Famous Quotes: "I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath."

(M) Famous Friends: Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor
(E) Famous Friends: The Beatles

(M) Death Theories: Apparent overdose on prescription meds
(E) Death Theories: Apparent overdose on prescription meds

Published: 9:46AM BST 06 Sep 2009

Jackson's early death this year means his estate is likely to benefit from a range of lucrative products from his music and videos to toys and trinkets Photo: REUTERS

And he is not the only one as Elvis, Heath Ledger and Jade Goody are also in the list of top 20 stars, dead or alive, whose names alone are enough to set the cash tills ringing.

Jackson's early death this year means his estate is likely to benefit from a range of lucrative products from his music and videos to toys and trinkets and other officially licensed goods.

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The top 20 for 2010 was compiled by trade and marketing experts based on potential moneyspinners from upmarket clothing ranges right down to dolls and tea towels.

The list includes Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, singers such as Lady GaGa and Britney, actors such as Twilight heart-throb Robert Pattinson and sporting heroes such as Lewis Hamilton, still a bigger brand name than rival Jenson Button.

The predictions come from the top 1,000 licensing and merchandising experts across Europe taking part in the trade event Brand Licensing in London at the end of this month.

They include owners of celebrity brands and licences as well as those from retail, manufacturing, promotion and advertising industries.

Ciarán Coyle, managing director, The Beanstalk Group, said: "The Michael Jackson estate could earn an estimated £100 to £150m in royalties from licensing in 2010.

"His image and legacy is licensed on anything from coins and clothes, to coffee table books and singing stuffed animals.

"To put that into context, Elvis' estate was worth £30m last year and only a fraction of this was from licensing deals.

"The reason his estate will do so well as a licensing property is because Jackson had both fame and an emotional connection with potential consumers."